The Environment Minister Alan Kelly has rubbished reports that FAI chief John Delaney was canvassing for him at the weekend.

Alan Kelly says they both attended meetings with soccer clubs, and what someone does in his own personal time is their own business.

When asked was it appropriate that FAI Chief John Delaney was out canvassing with him in Tipperary on Sunday, the Environment Minister was defiant: "What somebody does in their own private life is their own business, but the idea that John Delaney was going around Tipperary stopping people and asking them to vote for me directly simply did not happen". 

His cabinet colleague, the Transport, Tourism and Sport Minister Paschal Donohe said people are entitled to express their own views. But he said public figures need to be careful as we move towards election time, saying: "this space should be left to political figures".